During a lull(平息)in the storm which tossed androcked the sturdy(坚固的)little steamer Dauntless,ashot rang out on a deck.Professor Fordney threw down the detective storyhe was somewhat unsuccessfully trying to read andhastened into the companionway (船上的扶梯).Whereit turned at the far corner,he found Steward Miersonbending over the body of a man who had been instantlykilled.Just then the heavens opened;lightning flashed and